SQLite.swift
What SQLite.swift is
SQLite.swift is a free Swift library that adds a type-safe layer over SQLite3. It aims to provide compile-time confidence about SQL statement syntax and intent. An optional-aware expression builder helps construct SQL, while a flexible chainable query layer delays execution. The library also offers automatically typed data access and parameter binding, alongside schema queries and migrations, full-text search, transactions, and controls for WAL mode and journaling. It supports SQLCipher through Swift Package Manager for encrypted databases, with APIs to set or change a database key. The project supports iOS, Linux, and macOS, with installation instructions for Swift Package Manager, Carthage, CocoaPods, and manual Xcode project integration. Each connection uses a separate serial queue for statement execution and can be accessed across threads; an open transaction or savepoint blocks other threads from executing statements. SQLite.swift works offline and provides no data synchronization. It is distributed as source code under the MIT license, at a listed price of $0. For questions, bug reports, and contributions, the project points users to Stack Overflow and GitHub.
Who it suits
SQLite.swift suits Swift developers building offline applications that need a typed interface to SQLite3. It may be useful when schema migrations, transactions, or optional SQLCipher encryption are part of the project.
What it does well
- Type-safe SQL expression building for Swift.
- Includes schema queries and migrations.
- Supports SQLCipher database encryption.
- Runs on iOS, Linux, and macOS.
What to know first
- Does not provide data synchronization.
- Documentation advises against shared group containers for databases.
- An open transaction blocks statement execution on other threads.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| SQLite.swift | MIT-licensed Swift library · distributed as source code | Free |
As github.com lists them, read 4 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open the project at https://github.com/stephencelis/SQLite.swift.
- Choose Swift Package Manager, Carthage, CocoaPods, or manual Xcode project integration.
- Add SQLite.swift to your Swift project.
- Use its query and database APIs; add SQLCipher through Swift Package Manager if encrypted databases are needed.
Verdict
SQLite.swift offers a broad SQLite interface for Swift projects, with offline use and optional SQLCipher support. Its concurrency behavior and shared-container warning are worth considering when planning database access.
Questions
Is SQLite.swift free?
Yes. The listed price is free, and it is available under the MIT license.
Which platforms does it support?
The project lists iOS, Linux, and macOS.
How can I install it?
The project documents Swift Package Manager, Carthage, CocoaPods, and manual Xcode project integration.
Does SQLite.swift support encrypted databases?
It supports SQLCipher through Swift Package Manager, including APIs to set and change a database key.
Does it synchronize data?
No data synchronization is provided.
Where can users get help?
The project directs questions to Stack Overflow with the sqlite.swift tag, and bug reports or feature requests to GitHub issues.
Facts from SQLite.swift's own pages
- Data access
- The library provides automatically typed data access and a lightweight interface for queries and parameter binding. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Database capabilities
- Documented capabilities include schema queries and migrations, full-text search, transactions, and WAL mode and journaling configuration. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Encryption integration
- SQLite.swift supports SQLCipher through Swift Package Manager, including APIs to set and change a database key. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Install options
- The project documents installation through Swift Package Manager, Carthage, CocoaPods, or manual Xcode project integration. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- License
- SQLite.swift is available under the MIT license. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Platforms
- The project says it works on Linux with some limitations; its documentation includes macOS and iOS setup and platform declarations. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- SQLite.swift is a type-safe, Swift-language layer over SQLite3 that provides compile-time confidence in SQL statement syntax and intent. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Query building
- It includes a type-safe, optional-aware SQL expression builder and a flexible, chainable, lazy-executing query layer. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Security
- The project documents optional SQLCipher support for encrypted databases; it does not state a compliance certification on the pages reviewed. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Shared containers
- The documentation advises against storing databases in a shared group container because some users have reported crashes. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The README directs questions to Stack Overflow under the sqlite.swift tag, bug reports and feature requests to GitHub issues, and contributions to pull requests. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Thread safety
- Each connection has its own serial queue for statement execution and can be accessed across threads; open transactions and savepoints block other threads from executing statements. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Where SQLite.swift stands on Freedom251
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